¶ Writings on Anglicanism, liturgy, sacred music, and the life of the church.

Not at all stuffy

Rummaging on the Internet, we were pleased1 to find the blog posting quoted below.

One hears a great deal in the church that the words of Rite I, or 1928, or 1662 are a dead letter, that they are out of touch, coldly formal, and embraced only by the reactionary, the stubborn, and those who are really just looking forward to the past.

But we disagree. The old words say so well, and with a precision and elegance of prose that we moderns have not yet managed to equal, the very foundation of our faith, and we are well to place them at the core of our worshipping life. Dust to dust. Till death us do part. World without end.

So what does our fellow blogger say? On the subject of the royal wedding, he writes:

It wasn’t at all stuffy, rather it was youthful, joyful and inspiring.

It wasn’t at all stuffy. Imagine that. A service conducted with a great deal of formality and in accordance with long-established custom, and it was characterized by ease and delight. The form of the service could not have been worn more gracefully. The old words of the Prayer Book seemed as natural and lovely as the spring day outside the Abbey.

It was youthful, joyful, and inspiring, which makes one wonder. As we have asked before, if the old words seem tired, are they? Or is it you that’s tired?

1. We usually do not quote modern Roman Catholics here, mired as they are in their superstition and blind allegiance to a foreign prince. But oh well. Sometimes they make our point for us.

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